Singaporean shocked by RM800 tax for bringing Dyson vacuum into Malaysia: 'Isn't this price a bit high?'
A Singaporean traveller got more than he bargained for after bringing a Dyson cordless vacuum cleaner into Malaysia.
The man ended up being slapped with a hefty RM817.28 ($235) tax.
According to Foodies, he had purchased the vacuum recently and packed it into a backpack, thinking it wouldn't raise any red flags at customs.
However, during a recent group trip from Singapore to Malaysia, he was stopped by Malaysian customs officers for inspection.
He said a male officer who inspected the bag was relatively friendly but informed him that the vacuum cleaner would be taxable.
Shocked by the amount, he asked: "Isn't this price a bit high?"
The officer explained that because they had entered via the Green Channel, meant for travellers with nothing to declare, it was considered intentional concealment of dutiable goods.
Under Malaysian customs regulations, failing to declare taxable items can result in being charged the item's full value, plus a 20 per cent penalty and 10 per cent tax, totalling roughly 30 per cent in fees.
When he tried to negotiate, the officer called a female colleague, who firmly told him: "This is the minimum charge.
"If you don't accept it, I can issue you a ticket for a maximum fine of RM5,000 and even investigate you because this is attempted concealment of undeclared goods.
"I know that Dyson is expensive."
At that point, the traveller turned to the male officer and asked: "Where do I go to pay?"
Though frustrated, he admitted it was his error for not declaring the item and that it was a learning lesson.
He also urged others to be more mindful of customs regulations when travelling and wondered if the tax might've been lower had he declared the item in the first place.
